In October, David J. Pritchard and Jamie Muir obtained a $7 million settlement on behalf of the family of a baby who suffered cerebral palsy during delivery and subsequent resuscitation. The settlement was approved in Cook County, Illinois.

During the labor process, it was alleged that the obstetrician and labor and delivery nurses failed to recognize that an arrest of labor had occurred. By the time a cesarean delivery was attempted, the baby's head had become so wedged in the birth canal that a vacuum extractor had to be applied through the cesarean incision while a nurse pushed up on the baby's head from below. Approximately 30 minutes later, the neonatologist heading the resuscitation team reported to the mother and obstetrician that the baby had died. Finding this outcome unbelievable, the obstetrician left the mother to investigate the status of the baby. He testified that he found the baby lying naked and unattended in the isolette. He immediately discovered that the baby had not died; and after bringing this to the attention of the resuscitation team, the resuscitation was resumed. Unfortunately, it was too late to prevent brain damage and subsequent cerebral palsy.

"Although it is too late to undue the series of mistakes made at this hospital," said David Pritchard, "these settlement funds will allow this child to receive the best possible therapy and equipment to try and lead as normal of a life as possible."

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